Georgia, Turkey establish joint group on religious issues

A joint group on Georgia's and Turkey's religious issues will work. The decision was taken during a meeting between Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II and the head of the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs Mehmet Gormez September 13, the Patriarchate told Trend.

Ilia II and Gormez addressed those gathering at the Patriarchate.

Ilia II said that Gormez's visit had a good response. Gormez thanked the Patriarch and priests for their hospitality. He recalled the Catholicos-Patriarch's visit to Turkey in May and called it historic.

He stressed that today humanity needs peace and clerics must exert much efforts.

"I believe that we will justify the hopes of those who expect something positive as a result of these visits," Gormez added.

In their joint statement, the sides stressed that Turkey and Georgia have friendly relations. According to the statement, these relations will reach a higher level. They are more and more developed in the political, the military-political and cultural spheres. Proceeding from the importance of strengthening mutual understanding and tolerance among different religions, the relations are being intensified in the sphere of religion.

The sides condemned the recent acts of violence in various countries. The concern about Islamophobia, growing throughout the world and especially in Europe, was also expressed.